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CLI Reference

Claus Valca edited this page Sep 15, 2026 · 1 revision

💻 CLI Reference

openrom-core is the headless CLI included in every OpenROM release. The GUI uses it internally — but you can use it directly for scripting and automation.


Detection

# Detect file format and platform
openrom-core --detect "game.iso"

JSON output (for scripting)

openrom-core --json --detect "game.iso"


Conversion

# Convert single file
openrom-core --input "game.iso" --format CHD

Convert with compression level

openrom-core --input "game.iso" --format CHD --compression Max

Convert and verify

openrom-core --input "game.iso" --format CHD --verify

Verify CHD only (no conversion)

openrom-core --input "game.chd" --verify-only

Force platform (for modded/patched ISOs)

openrom-core --input "modded.iso" --format CHD --force-platform PS2

Batch convert folder

openrom-core --folder /roms/ --format CHD

Batch with compression

openrom-core --folder /roms/ --format CHD --compression Max


Patching

# Apply patch (auto-detects format)
openrom-core --patch "game.sfc" --patch-file "hack.ips"

Force apply even if checksum mismatches

openrom-core --patch "game.sfc" --patch-file "hack.bps" --ignore-checksum


Compression

# Compress to 7Z
openrom-core --compress "game.iso" --format 7z --level ultra

Compress to ZIP

openrom-core --compress "game.iso" --format zip --level normal

Compress folder

openrom-core --compress-folder /roms/ --format 7z

Extract archive

openrom-core --extract "game.zip" openrom-core --extract "game.7z" --output /roms/extracted/


Header Removal

# Remove copier header (auto-detects type)
openrom-core --remove-header "game.smc"

Specify output file

openrom-core --remove-header "game.smc" --output "game_clean.sfc"


Utilities

# Generate M3U for multi-disc game folder
openrom-core --m3u "/roms/Metal Gear Solid/"

List all supported formats

openrom-core --list-formats

Show version

openrom-core --version

Help

openrom-core --help


Flags Reference

Flag Description
--input Input file path
--output Output file path (optional)
--folder Batch input folder
--format Target format (CHD, CSO, RVZ, ZIP, 7Z…)
--compression Fast / Normal / Max
--verify Verify after conversion
--verify-only Verify CHD without converting
--force-platform Override platform detection
--patch ROM file to patch
--patch-file Patch file (.ips, .bps, .xdelta…)
--ignore-checksum Force-apply patch
--compress File to compress
--compress-folder Folder to compress
--level Compression level (fast/normal/ultra)
--extract Archive to extract
--remove-header ROM to strip header from
--m3u Folder to generate M3U for
--detect Detect file format and platform
--list-formats List all supported formats
--json Output as JSON
--version Show version
--help Show help

Conversion MatrixPatching GuideTroubleshooting

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